USA/ESP – James, Americans ready to play game of their lives against Spain

BEIJING (Olympics) – United States forward LeBron James has called Sunday’s gold medal clash with Spain the most important game of his career.

A player many consider to be the best in the world, James reached the 2007 NBA Finals with Cleveland but the Cavaliers lost to San Antonio in four games.

Now the 23-year-old superstar is 40 minutes away from winning an Olympic title.

“This is bigger,” said James, who has averaged 15.7 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game in Beijing while also coming up with 16 steals.

“Being a part of the game on Sunday is the biggest thing for me, ever.

“When I got to the Finals, I thought that was big. But winning an NBA championship would never compare to winning a gold medal for my country.”

What most of the world is anxious to see is if world champions Spain will come out and play like a wounded lion after their 119-82 Group B defeat to the USA.

The Spanish will be missing their best guard in Jose Manuel Calderon because of the groin strain that kept him out of the 91-86 semi-final win over Lithuania.

Jason Kidd, the 35-year-old veteran who won gold on the American team in Sydney eight years ago, believes Calderon’s absence may actually help the Spanish.

“I think they'll be even more dangerous with Calderon out because it gives the young kid (Ricky Rubio) more playing time and he gets comfortable and he likes the spotlight,” Kidd said.

“(Pau) Gasol and those guys get another chance at us. They're a dangerous team.”

The 17-year-old Rubio is approaching the game as if it’s the opportunity of a lifetime.

"I don't know if this could happen again, to reach an Olympic final,” Rubio said.

“It's something that only few players have the chance to experience.

“Whether you are 17 or 28, you have to face it the same way. This could be the first and last final you play at the Olympics.”

Other than Rudy Fernandez, the player who could lay claim to being the most consistent has been Felipe Reyes of Real Madrid.

The 28-year-old big man came in for praise from USA coach Mike Krzyzewski ahead of the game.

“Reyes played a great game against us, and I think he’s been kind of an unsung hero on their team,” Krzyzewski said.

“He’s just been a really tough player and he’s scoring, and they’re deep.”

Reyes, who had 13 points in the first game against the Americans, said to FIBA.com: “We have to forget about the past, we have to be stronger and make sure we don't allow them to get too much confidence.

“Against them, you cannot afford to relax. You have to be focused for 40 minutes.”

Sergio Hernandez, the Argentina coach, watched his defending Olympic champions fall 101-81 to the USA.

He believes Spain will be better equipped to face the United States.

“Spain have a deep team with NBA players who know the system,” Hernandez said. “Also, Spain have no pressure and that could be an advantage.

“I think it will be similar to the game we played against Team USA, but I think it’s going to be a closer result.”

Hernandez is a great admirer of what Team USA supremo Jerry Colangelo and Krzyzewski have been able to do with this year’s group of players.

“I have noticed a huge difference with respect to the team that we faced in Las Vegas,” Hernandez said.

“This team plays so hard and they are disciplined and that, alongside the individual qualities that the team has, makes them a side that is very difficult to surpass."

Spain prefer to play at a very fast pace but some expect them to play a zone for 40 minutes and dare the Americans to beat them from the outside.

Even if the USA were to shoot and miss, opponents have found it impossible to keep the likes of Dwight Howard, James and Dwyane Wade off the offensive boards.

Expect one of the zone busters to be James, who has shot 44% (11 of 25) from long range while inside the arc he has hit 67.3% (33 of 49).

"We have few chances against Team USA but as long as there is hope, then we will go out to fight for our lives,” Rubio said.

The United States will not be lulled into thinking the second game between the sides will be easy.

“We’re going to have to go out there and beat them,” Wade said, “just like Argentina.

“We’re going to have to go out there and knock them off.”

Jeff Taylor

FIBA